Thursday, June 19, 2025
Today, June 19th is "Juneteenth" a Federal Holiday established by President Joe Biden in 2021. The holiday celebrated on June 19th is to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It specifically marks the day, in 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the remaining enslaved people in Texas were free, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a federal holiday in 2021. All government agencies are closed today including city halls, government centers, post offices, with no regular mail delivery, banks and financial institutions, markets are closed meaning stock and portfolio businesses are closed today, public libraries are closed today and also some businesses may also be closed to observe the holiday. It was reported that all parcel services and delivery services along with USPS 1 day and special delivery packages will be delivered today on their usual schedules. Stores and restaurants are open today on the Federal Holiday, but you might want to call ahead.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Tuesday at approximately 8:32pm, their office received a report of a motorcycle accident on 260th Ave, just south of Nature Road, in Buckman Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 54-year-old Jeffrey Opatz of Swanville, MN was traveling southbound on 260th Avenue when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed at the intersection of Nature Road. Opatz was found unresponsive in the ditch and was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital by North Air Care. He remains in critical condition. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Pierz Fire, Mount Morris Lakin Morrill Buckman (MLMB) First Response, Minnesota State Patrol, Mayo Clinic Ambulance. The crash remains under investigation.
A 47-year-old Little Falls man was injured in an accident Wednesday morning at 8:19am in Scandia Valley Township of Morrison County. 60-year-old Daniel Prokott of Little Falls was on Highway 10 in a Dodge Ram pickup pulling a trailer westbound in front of a straight truck. Straight truck attempted to pass Ram/Trailer and struck rear of trailer. Both vehicles went into the right ditch near 330th Street. Prokott and the other driver, 55-year-old Dwight Collins of Minneapolis were not hurt. A passenger in the Prokott vehicle, Samuel Yorek was taken to the Staples Hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.
A 41-year-old from East Bethel had to be rescued by first responded and the Minnesota State Patrol after the vehicle she was driving left Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County and ended up in the river. Heather McDeid was northbound around 3:32pm Tuesday afternoon when her vehicle veered off the road and ended in the river. She was pulled out by first responders and taken to the Onamia hospital and treated for injuries.
The Little Falls Carnegie Library, a branch within the Great River Regional Library system, has received generous gifts totaling over $180,000 left by Melvin and Laurine Zimmerman. Long-time Little Falls residents included the library as a beneficiary in their trust to support library equipment. Steve Shelly, the executor of the estate and a dear friend of the Zimmermans, shared with library staff about how important Little Falls was to the couple. Melvin and Laurine lived in Little Falls their whole lives. Together, they enjoyed wildlife, deer hunting, and an overall quiet life. Steve emphasized how they wanted to give back to their community. Since receiving the Zimmerman’s bequest, the Little Falls Carnegie Library staff have begun to refresh the equipment on the main floor of the library. When entering the library space, patrons will immediately notice the more open and welcoming atmosphere, thanks to the new computer stations. Staff replaced computer tables and rearranged the area to declutter the space and create room for a round table displaying books for checkout. Additionally, the DVD shelves have received new lighting to enhance visibility for patrons. DVD titles are now easier to browse and more noticeable in the space. More features, such as a new book return bin, will soon be added to the library, thanks to the generosity of the Zimmermans. Stop by the library to see what’s new! Including the library in one’s will is a way to give back to your community through your local library. Your decision will have a lasting impact and continue to preserve and enhance the library in the future. Learn more about how you can make a lasting impact at your library by talking to library staff or visiting griver.org/planned-giving.
Authorities are investigating after a body was found in rural Kandiyohi County. On Tuesday at about 3:30pm, the Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a body that was located near County Road 10 Northeast, about 1 1/2 miles west of Spicer. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the remains of what appeared to be an adult male. The body was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and identification. There is no known threat to the public, and the case remains under active investigation by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office. No further details are available at this time.
A 39-year-old Guatemalan citizen, who is also a convicted sex offender and in the U.S. illegally, is facing new federal charges for assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson for the District of Minnesota says that in December of 2022, Roberto Carlos Munoz was charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a minor and later convicted of felony fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. When he was arrested, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer, but local authorities didn’t honor it, and released Munoz. According to a press release from Thompson’s office, on June 17th, 2025, federal agents attempted to arrest Munoz on an administrative warrant due to his illegal status. During a traffic stop, Munoz refused repeated commands to lower his windows and open his door, even after officers clearly identified themselves as police and warned they would break a window. An Enforcement and Removal Operations Officer used a spring-loaded punch to break the rear window and reached inside to unlock the door. At that moment, Munoz put the car in drive and accelerated onto the curb at high speed, trapping the officer’s arm in the broken window. As Munoz drove away, he dragged the officer along the road. The officer fired his taser twice, but Munoz kept driving and then began weaving back and forth, apparently trying to shake the officer loose, driving on and off the curb while the officer screamed. After dragging the officer roughly 100 yards, Munoz hit the curb again, and the impact finally freed the officer. Munoz then fled the scene. Photos within the criminal complaint show the ERO officer suffered a deep cut on his right arm requiring 20 stitches, another on his left hand needing 13 stitches, plus scrapes on his knee, elbows, and face. Munoz is charged with assault on a federal officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon resulting in bodily injury.
The Franciscan Sisters stated yesterday that "It was another great blood drive as the goal set for 155 units and we received 152 with 8 who came in but could not give. Thanks to everyone who again responded to this great need as it can only happen with the many generous persons who responded to this need and many other needs in the Community". The next two day blood drive is August18 and August 19,2025 and appointments can be made by going on line to: redcrossblood.org or call Sister Julien at 320 532-0663.
Death Notices- Pamela D. Schlegel, age 64 of Sartell.
Weather- Extreme Heat Watch in effect Saturday and Sunday. Sunny skies today, humid, high 84, storms develop after 4pm, storms possible tonight, some with heavy rain, low 66. Friday showers early then sunny and warm, high 86, storms at night, low near 70 and muggy. Saturday sunny and hot, high 93 with heat index values near 101, clear at night low around 70. Sunday sunny and hot, highs around 90 with heat index values near 100 degrees. Storms late Sunday into Monday, low around 64, Monday high of 77.
Sports- Cincinnati wins a 4-2 rain shortened game last night after 6 innings when the game was later called due to rain. Many Major League Baseball games were postponed due to rain Wednesday. The Twins wrap up series with Cincinnati today at 11am with pregame on Q92 WYRQ. Minnesota Lynx improved to 11-1 with a 76-62 win over Las Vegas on Tuesday night back in action Saturday with Los Angeles. Congratulations to Nate Schmidt, the former St. Cloud Cathedral and Minnesota Gopher standout is now a NHL Stanley Cup Champion as Schmidt plays for the Florida Panthers who won the cup on Tuesday. As each player gets to bring the cup to their home area, it is likely the Cup will find its way to St. Cloud in the next year.